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White Chocolate, Vanilla Bean Cardamom Mousse and Raspberry Layers

March 3, 2009

Hugging my mom, joking with my dad. This is pretty much all I have done in the past 24 hours. It had been a year since I last put my arms around maman and two(!) since I was able to share some fun tidbits with papa. It had never been that long but such has been life on both sides of the ocean, with timing, responsibilities, projects and happenings that we have been this long apart since I moved here. After a long delayed connecting flight and one suitcase missing, I was finally able to kiss them profusedly and start planning some fun things to do in between work and more work while they are here.

Once home, we sat down to a simple meal of quiche and salad and talked for almost three hours at the dinner table. Things don't change. Time slows down a bit when they are here and I am perfectly fine with that. Today felt like a Sunday and I have no doubt that tomorrow will feel like a Saturday...

When they visit, I still cook as I would for B. and myself and try to give my mom a real vacation. They do so much for the rest of the family when they are in France that I enjoy pampering them. My dad can read, walk to the dock and clear his mind of all his responsibilities back home. My mom just sits at the kitchen table and we talk and gossip while I bake or cook. She is my favorite prep cook (she does a mean chopping job) and loves to pick on all the little things that have changed around the house.

For their first dinner with us Sunday night, after hours of airplane and airports, I knew they would appreciate a little something sweet to end the meal. I figured they would be more tired than hungry so I prepared something light. Something that would bring sweet dreams, something almost as soft as crisp bed sheets and as comfortable as fluffy pillows. I layered squares of tempered white chocolate with dollops of vanilla bean and cardamom mousse and fresh raspberries. Crisp, soft, refreshing and light. A good night indeed...

...and the missing suitcase finally got on another flight and is finally here too...

For the white chocolate squares:1 pound (500gr) good quality chocolate, chopped( I can't recommend one good brand over another, just make sure to use good quality. The one I used here was given to me by a sales rep and I found it a little too white and a little too sweet compared to Valrhona or Callebaut for example)

Place the chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Make sure that the bottom of your bowl fits snuggly over the pan and that it is never in direst contact with the water. Stir the chocolate constantly as it melts. Continue stirring the chocolate until is completely melted and registers 110F on a candy thermometer. Remove the bowl from the water bath let it cool to 82F. Set the chocolate over the warm water again and stir it until is reaches 88F. Spread the chocolate on a very clean and even surface in a very thin layer ( I use the back of a sheet pan that I only use for chocolate and caramel applications). Let it cool and harden completely before cutting 3 inch squares in the chocolate layer. Gently lift the squares and set them aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the egg yolks and the salt. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of water, and let it sit while you make the syrup base of the mousse.Combine the sugar, cardamom pods and the remaining 2 tablespoons of water in a heavy saucepan. Cover and bring to a rapid boil over medium high heat (prevents crystallization of the sugar on the side of the pan). Once boiling, uncover and cook until the mixture reaches 238F.Strain the pods and seeds in a container with a spout, it will be easier to add to the yolks. Pour the syrup slowly and into a steady stream into the egg yolks with the machine running on medium high. Melt the gelatin in the microwave for 10 seconds or until dissolved. Add it to the yolk mixture along with the seeds from the vanill bean and continue to whisk on medium high until it triples in volume and cools to room temperature.In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Add it to the mousse base and fold the two gently together. Pour the mousse in a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip (I use Ateco #807).

Assembly:Place one chocolate square on a plate and alternate pipings of mousse and raspberries, top with a second chocolate squares and repeat. Top with a last square of chocolate and a raspberry and chocolate shavings if desired.

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comments:

You read my mind!! I was just about to ask which brand you used because most of the couverture white chocolates I find here are yellowish-white, not pure white as the ones you used. I can tell how happy you are that your parents are finally there with you, and I'm sure that they are very happy that you made the thoughtful gesture that is this dessert. Love how you interpret the crisp sheets and fluffy pillows in this dessert, and I love the lightness of all of it. It's so perfect! Definitely one of my favourites!

I am so going to make this when i have guests? They looks so elegant and delicious. When i go back to India to visit my mom, we too are in the kitchen busy and catching up withh all the gossips and my hubby is like my my you both are talking non stop...Living here in belgium we are lucky to have Callebaut, which i always use for my desserts and bakes.

Was thinking how good your Mom must be feeling when watching you click:)..after reading your DMBLGIT page! I am just waiting for April when my Parents drop in, but I am lucky that we meet twice a year! Dessert looks so good, as always:)

Those are so beautiful! I love how translucent the white chocolate is. It does look reminiscent of a comfy bed. If it didn't look so delicious I'd want to climb between its sheets and rest my head on its little mousse pillows as I cuddle up to the raspberries.

You are too much! So you just whipped this together for your parents! You make is sound so easy. And this is so incredible! I'm so happy for you that you get to visit with them now. Have a wonderful time.

I know the feeling of having your parents over to visit! I miss having mine over here...it's been 4 years, though we did go back to Malaysia for a visit 2 years ago. Anyhow, I am the lucky one...my mom is always there to cook for us whatever food we miss from home. I'm spoiled! :P I too, like the way you describe the dessert :) It looks fabulous! I've tempered dark chocolates before, for truffles, but I feel a little bit intimidated to temper the white chocolate!!! :P Anyway, you're making me think twice if I should make THAT instead for my birthday tomorrow?! ;P Thanks so much for sharing!

Crisp sheets and fluffy pillows indeed. Those are stunning! I am so glad you are getting to spend time with your parents - I'm sure it is precious. They sound wonderful and they certainly have a wonderful daughter!

Oooh, welcome to your parents! I hope they will make a guest appearance or something :) Glad they arrived despite the delays. They must be so happy to see you and you them. What a nice way to replenish their energy levels! I hope you have a great time with them. Kaweah just barked (rare event) which means she must be excited that your parents are in the US too :) Give them each a hug from me. And tell them to give you a hug from me too. hee hee. xxoo P.S. Need I even say it? Your dessert is like the most beautiful of dreams.

These are simply stunning. The photos and the dessert itself has this dreamy, sweet quality that goes with the story of your parents' arrival and visit.

I wanted to let you know that the March theme for Sugar High Fridays has been posted. The theme is "The Test of Time - Desserts over a century old." I thought the theme might tickle your fancy, so I wanted to let you know!

Oh Helen, have a wonderful wonderful time with your maman & papa. You are an awesome daughter & it's lovely to see how you spoil them. These are beautiful little desserts; gorgeous pictures as always. xoxo

Have a wonderful time with your parents! My father hardly ever seems to manage to arrive in the States with all suitcases. Or content is missing... But the trip always feels sooo worth it anyway (for me definitely ;-) ).

Anonymous:I shoot in natural light, no extra lights or umbrellas. I also stay off the auto button on my camera. I do edit them by running them through the contrast feature on Picasa a lot and leave it at that as much as possible. The more editing is done, the more quality is lost.

Suitcase missing seem happen a lot, when my sister travel to Bali, she lost her suitcase full of new present for the family, shoes, handbag, clothing, they're gone. The airlines never found it, and did give her refund but the value was nothing compare to what she spend, both money and the psychological value. I am glad that hey got back their suitcase! And, whoever found my sister's suitcase is a very lucky person. Really lucky!

I am sure your parent appreciate this gorgeous, light and delicate dessert after a long flight. And I am sure they slept pretty well too. Cheers,elra

I haven't stopped by your blog lately. What beauty I have come back to! Your chocolate cakes were gorgeous and so was your ice cream.

And this!

Your parents are very lucky to have a daughter like you to make them desserts like this. I feel like spouting that old cliche that it's almost too pretty to eat. Mom and Dad must be having a wonderful trip relaxing and eating your delicious desserts.

Thank you all for your comments and visits. I am sorry if I am less than visible on our blogs and sites in the coming week. It's crunch time + the parents!! I am blessed and I wish there were more hours in the day to do more. Don't we all?!!

What a classic combination! (Though I know there are a lot of people out there who are iffy on white choc... I'm not, especially with red, tart raspberries.) And so beautifully presented too :)Missing luggage is a b*tch, isn't it? I'm glad it came back in one piece!

This looks light as a cloud...what a wonderful interpretation! Same with your flourless choc cakes on previous bolg with ice cream and ice cream sandwiches....yum, yum and more yum! Enjoy this special visit with your parents.:)

So all is well that ends well - suitcase and all! But to end the family reunion with this delicious chocolate and raspberry mousse with cardamom hints, is like - having your cake and eating it too! Thanks for the recipe :-)

Being a confessed white chocolate fiend, this is yet another one of your desserts that's right up my alley. I'm amazed at how thin and transluecent those tempered white chocolate squares are - that takes some serious skill, especially considering how tempermental white chocolate can be! Kudos to a stunning, creative dessert once again! Your parenst, outside of being with their baby again, must be in hog heaven when they visit you!

Thanks for your kind words about my macs! Definitely not the last time I'll attempt making them. :) And my colleagues and I have been absolutely gushing about this beautiful dessert -- so mouth-watering!

All of your recipes and photos are so amazing I don't know where to start. Each and everyone look absolutely luscious. Of all the recipes you have posted do you have a favorite? If so, which one? I'd love to make it. Plus it will give me a place to start.